Lucky as we were to get a second season of NBC's 'Hannibal' for its moderate ratings, doubts began to creep early on as opposing projects seemed to pull away more prominent guest stars like Gillian Anderson of 'The X-Files' and Raul Esparza of 'Law & Order.' While we wait for 'Hannibal' season 2's likely 2014 debut, however, it seems both stars will return in at least some capacity.

Speaking to TVGuide, Anderson confirmed her eventual 'Hannibal' season 2 return in saying, "I've already shot a couple of episodes and will probably return to work at the end of November," though scheduling between Anderson's upcoming NBC drama 'Crisis' and UK drama 'The Fall' will make regular appearances fewer and far between. Anderson portrayed Hannibal Lecter's (Mads Mikkelsen) own psychiatrist, Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier, who seemed to have key insight into Lecter's darker tendencies.

Elsewhere, series creator Bryan Fuller recently tweeted out a photo confirming Raul Esparza's return to 'Hannibal' season 2 as Dr. Frederick Chilton, a prominent character throughout the Thomas Harris mythology that seemed likely to recur in a stronger capacity. Esparza's own ascension to series regular on 'Law & Order: SVU' seemed to complicate Esparza's return, though we know the actor will at least put in the occasional appearance opposite Dr. Lecter and new inmate Will Graham (Hugh Dancy).